W. Brandywine residents at meeting want manager fired

WEST BRANDYWINE — Following more than two hours of heated public discussion at Thursday’s meeting, supervisors voted unanimously to place 20-year veteran Township Manager Ronald Rambo on unpaid leave pending the outcome of an ongoing investigation by the Chester County District Attorney’s office.

Supervisors also decided to retain Rambo, 59, for an indefinite time period as a consultant who is paid by the hour and works from home.

Rambo, a township employee for more than 30 years, was charged April 11 on misdemeanor charges of forgery and theft by unlawful taking or disposition. The DA’s office alleges its examination of township records shows Rambo recently submitted improper medical receipts. Rambo did not return a phone call seeking comment.

Nearly 100 residents packed the meeting room. While extra chairs were added, many stood in the doorways. Several times fellow public speakers were loudly applauded and supervisors booed. Rambo did not attend the meeting.

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Until the board met in a 10-minute executive session, and after more than two dozen residents spoke, supervisors Joe Obernier and Tom McCaffrey steadfastly supported retaining Rambo in a considerably lessened role, while nearly everyone in attendance seemingly called for Rambo’s immediate firing.

“In the United States, a person is innocent until proven guilty,” McCaffrey said. “I feel it is improper for us to act on allegations. A judge will decide. It isn’t appropriate for me to jump the gun.”

Obernier said prior to the vote that the board was aware of the allegations and had acted appropriately to take away Rambo’s ability to sign checks or supervise co-workers. He said that Rambo is an integral cog in the township’s infrastructure and is charged with overseeing “many nitpicking details.”

“We’re trying to handle things so the township doesn’t get sued,” Obernier said. “He has rights.”

Doug Smith is running in the May primary for McCaffrey’s seat. McCaffrey has said several times that the amount allegedly missing was likely a minor amount while Smith said a city manager should be held to a “much higher standard” and that Rambo shouldn’t continue as a boss.

“It’s a difficult work environment,” Smith said. “There’s far more liability by bringing him back. It’s not a good managerial situation on your part for the safety of the employees here.”

The two candidates faced off.

“You sound like you’re a king or a god,” Smith told McCaffrey.

“Kings don’t’ ask questions,” McCaffrey shot back.

Smith and others have referred to the Rambo supporters as “good old boys.”

McCaffrey said he resented the term, there was no collusion and he was not close with the manager.

“I’ve never been in Mr. Rambo’s house,” McCaffrey said.

Supervisor William Webb said he discovered possible improprieties about a year ago and then approached the district attorney.

Webb was elected last year as a first term supervisor.

“It’s not my job to see if Ron Rambo committed a crime,” Webb said. “My job was to see if public policy and trust was violated.”

Police Chief Walter Werner regularly sits at the podium with the board during meetings. At Thursday’s meeting, an additional pair of uniformed officers stood at the back of the room.

Tensions ran high. Resident Chuck Dennison shouted at supervisors and left on his own accord after Obernier asked police to remove him from the building.

“Officer, take that gentleman out,” Obernier said.

“You work for us,” said Dennison. “Is this a public meeting? Sieg Hiel.”

Several residents, including Lori Petrie Formica, asked supervisors why Rambo was retained after a 2005 township audit allegedly showed a shortfall. McCaffrey said Rambo wrote a check to reimburse the township for questionable medical co-pay invoices.

McCaffrey said the audit performed by Barbacane Thornton & Co. “picked out things that looked inappropriate.”

“(Rambo) didn’t submit the right stuff,” McCaffrey said about the 2005 incident. “(Rambo ) submitted stuff that wasn’t supposed to be submitted.”

Rambo’s assistant, Linda Formica, was asked to temporarily assume many of Rambo’s duties. Following the public meeting, the board held a second executive session to determine how much to increase her salary. Supervisors will likely vote on the matter at the May 4 meeting.